Travel is easier when you know what to expect and plan ahead. From packing to security checks, arranging for special circumstances such as children, pets, medical equipment or musical instruments, here's the information that you'll need to know.

Change to Duty Free rules when flying into the U.S.

Effective January 31, 2014, TSA will allow duty free liquids through the security checkpoint in carry-on baggage if properly packaged in a security tamper-evident bag (STEB). Learn more about this new TSA rule.

The following applies to travel within the United States unless otherwise stated. Please check the chart on the Liquids and Gels tab for country-specific information for exceptions to the U.S policies. Our Reservations agents can assist with policies or information not covered.

How Much Can I Carry On?

You can bring one small carry-on bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as the carry-on bag fits comfortably in the sizer without being forced and does not exceed overall dimensions of 45 inches (length + width + height).

The maximum dimensions cannot exceed any of the following measurements: 22" long x 14" wide x 9" tall or 115cm (56 x 36 x 23 cm). All carry-on items should be stowed in an overhead bin.

Personal item - includes: purse, briefcase, laptop bag OR a similar item such as a tote. The personal item must be smaller than your carry-on bag and must fit under the seat in front of you.

Additional items that will be allowed above and beyond the restrictions listed above include:

Additional limits may be placed on carry-on bags because of aircraft stowage capacity.

Limits may be imposed after the boarding process has begun.

Carry-on roller board bags, duffle bags, large backpacks, or other personal items that don't fit in the overhead bins or under the seat must be checked at the gate and placed in the cargo compartment on American Eagle aircraft.

Horizontal rolling and/or hanging garment bags are considered to be the customer's carry-on bag and must fit comfortably in the bag sizer, not exceed the following measurements: 22" long x 14" wide x 9" high or 115cm (56 x 36 x 23 cm). A bag that is 22" long by 24" high by 10.5" wide for a total of 56.5 inches would be too big therefore would not be allowed. Customers can bring a soft-sided garment bag of up to 51in / 130cm (length + width + height) in lieu of a carry-on item.

Packing

When traveling by air, limited quantities of liquids, gels and aerosols may be carried in cabin bags including travel-size toiletries. Check the liquids and gels section for more information.

The TSA allows passengers to leave their laptop computers in bags that meet new "checkpoint friendly" standards. For more information see the TSA News Release

For Security Screening:

Place liquids in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 3.4 oz./100 ml each.

All liquids, gels and aerosols in containers larger than 3.4 oz./100 ml must be packed in your checked bag.

Place all liquid containers in a separate clear plastic, zip-top bag no larger than 8in x 8in (20cm x 20cm) or is quart size/1 litre.

Items must fit in the bag comfortably so that it closes completely and must be submitted for inspection separately from other carry-on baggage.

Remove the plastic bag from the carry-on bag at the security checkpoint for separate x-ray screening.

Beginning January 31, 2014, passengers traveling internationally into the United States or into any European Union country (including the UK, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland), along with Japan and Korea, and have a connecting flight, will be permitted to carry liquids in excess of 3.4 oz./100 ml in their carry-on baggage, provided they were purchased in duty-free shops or onboard aircraft and placed in secure, tamper-evident bags (STEBs), with proof of purchase visually displayed inside the bag.

Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding 3.4 oz./100 ml and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the security checkpoint. Screening Officers may need to open these items to conduct additional screening. TSA guidelines for traveling with formula and food, and breast milk.

Liquids that cannot be screened and cleared will not be allowed to remain in a passenger's carry-on baggage. Passengers may elect to place these items into checked baggage, if available, or forfeit them prior to entering the secure area of the airport. This may include liquids in opaque, ceramic, or metallic bottles, or other containers that cannot be effectively scanned.

If your travel takes you through a security checkpoint in a country that does not allow liquids in excess of 3.4 oz./100 ml in carry-on baggage, you may or may not have the opportunity to place the item in your checked baggage. If you are unable to place the item in your checked baggage, it may be confiscated.

Electronic Equipment On The Plane

Certain devices used on board the aircraft, both on the ground and during the flight, may radiate electronic pulses affecting the aircraft navigational or communications equipment. While electronic disruptions in the cockpit are rare, they cannot be tolerated at any time. Portable electronic devices,
including laptops, must remain off during taxi, takeoff, approach and landing until arrival at the gate when the seat belt sign has been turned off. Personal electronic devices, such as tablets, e-readers and smartphones can be used in airplane mode from gate to gate on flights within the U.S.

Devices that cannot be used onboard include:

Radios - AM, FM, VHF, battery or cord operated TV sets, TV cameras

Electronic games or toys with remote control, except those installed on the aircraft

Cordless computer mouse

Portable Global Positioning System (GPS.)

Child Safety Seats

For taxi, takeoff, landing, during turbulence, or when the Fasten Seatbelt sign is on, children must remain secured in the child safety seat. American accepts only FAA approved infant seats/child restraint devices that are certified for use in aircraft. See www.aa.com/children for more information.

Pets

A pet kennel or container that is taken in the cabin counts as your one carry-on bag – the cabin pet charge still applies. See www.aa.com/pets for information on sizes of containers allowed and applicable charges.

Medical Equipment

Hearing aids, heart pacemakers, or other approved medical devices are accepted during all phases of flight. If a passenger must travel with oxygen due to medical necessity, a 48-hour notice is required. You will have the option to indicate a request for special assistance when making your reservation on AA.com. See Special Service Requests for more information.

Musical Instruments

Small musical instruments may be carried onboard the aircraft providing they meet existing carry-on size requirements and fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. We recommend all musical instruments travel in a hard-sided case in the event the item needs to be checked. Case dimensions may not exceed 45 dimensional inches (width + length + height), except for guitars which may be brought on board only if they can be safely stowed in an overhead bin or approved stowage location in the cabin.

The instrument is considered the passenger's one allowed carry-on bag. A personal item is allowed in addition to the instrument.